In My Sister’s Garden-A Wistful Romp through a Drought Resistant Oasis "Spring is the time of the year, when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade." - Charles Dickens One of the great things about growing up on a farm in the boondocks is that your tribe is your family. We five siblings were as thick as thieves as we climbed trees, worked the fields, pulled fences, drove tractors, branded cattle, and planted the spring garden. We played, we quarreled, and we dug in the dirt together. By the time May arrived, we ached to get our hands grubby in the vegetable patch. Waiting for the vegetables to sprout and be harvested taught us patience and responsibility. Of course, Mom’s beautiful flower gardens would already be abloom by this time of year getting us into constant trouble because we were forever picking bouquets not only for her, but, for teachers, 4-H leaders, and Sunday masses. As we grew into adults, our love of the earth grew as well. Following in the big shoes of my Father, my brother continued the family tradition of being a farmer and has one of the most beautiful vineyards in the county. Our Mother’s love of gardening instructed the gardens of her girls. Recently I walked with my sister Debbie through her eclectic garden. There is a saying that “you can take the girl out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the girl.” With Deb, she’s never left the land where we were born. She is a country cowgirl through and through. She’s always adorned with her cowboy hat, rodeo belt buckle, and boots! She hunts, fishes, grows her food, and would have relished being a pioneer in the 1870’s. Debbie and her husband are the ultimate recyclers and re-purposers. With their barnyard of adopted animals-pigs, goats, donkeys, chickens, even Texas long horns at one time, all the weeds and garden cuttings feed the animals and the manure is then recycled back to the garden. They collect rooftop rain runoff in used wine barrels then pipe it to a storage tank to help with summer watering. It’s never enough, but every drop helps. Their garden art includes rusted plows, wooden swings, a plethora of homemade birdhouses, multiple fountains made from found objects, wagon wheels, antlers, the cutest country chicken coop you ever did see, and a sleeping shed outfitted with a bear hide, antique fishing gear, pinecones, and found treasures of every sort. From their patio they watch the wildlife on their hillside property-deer, bobcats, raccoons, turkeys, skunks, and the occasional mountain lion. It’s a playful, restful garden setting, albeit with a watchful eye for the rattlesnakes that enjoy this oasis as well. What I love about Debbie’s garden is how it reflects her unique personality, her love of the land, and her admiration for the history of the Wild West. As we ambled around the property with her happy dogs in the lead, the songbirds sang, a bevy of butterflies delicately landed on her flowers, and the koi in the pond swam to the surface to greet me. This time together immersed in this sustainable landscape nurtured my soul and brought our childhood memories to vivid life. Although we grow the same plants, shrubs, trees, and succulents in both of our yards, our designs and esthetics are completely different. And that’s the beauty of creating a garden, making it your own special paradise where you can find peace, tranquility, and restoration in tandem with the wild kingdom. TIPS TO CREATING YOUR OWN UNIQUE PLAYGROUND ⎫ Don’t over-think it! Make lists of everything you enjoy in a garden then do it. ⎫ Be conservation conscious as well as considerate of nature. ⎫ Be creative. Think swathes, angles, circles, and flow. There is nothing more boring than a box. ⎫ The hardscape must include natural materials: rocks, gravel, barn wood, shells, or anything meaningful to you. ⎫ Instead of buying art, repurpose childhood toys, old sinks, even a commode overflowing with flowers can be comical. ⎫ Be playful. When you are going to spend time in the outdoors, you want to enjoy yourself. Allow your personality to shine. ⎫ Add surprises, secret gardens, hedged rooms, anything that will enhance the whimsical and magical element to your garden experience. ⎫ Lead to a focal point or view with meandering paths, walkways, and trails. ⎫ Invite the pollinators; bees, butterflies, and birds by providing housing, nectar flowers, protection, fountains, and ponds. ⎫ Mix it up. For a drought resistant garden, consider an array of beautiful succulents, cactus, lavender, bulbs, iris, daylily, geraniums, and other plants that will add color, texture, form, and structure, yet require little maintenance and minimal water. ⎫ A potager, pots, or area designated for edibles and herbs is a must have. There is nothing better than picking your dinner from your own property. ⎫ Benches, swings, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and places to unwind, watch the clouds, savor sunsets, and marvel at the stars make your garden your home. ` What’s so fun about our family gardening experience is the sharing that we all do in giving each other clips, snips, cuttings, bulbs, and volunteers. We grow the same specimens and as we stroll and admire our handiwork, we can’t remember who gave what to whom first. As I said farewell to my sister, she handed me a hand-painted tin filled with blooming echeveria from clippings I had given her a few years before. We shared a laugh. Little did I know this would be the last walk with my sister. She died just a few days before this article was published. She would have loved to have seen her passion in print. Debbie may you garden in the heavens. The circle of life continues. Happy Trails to you, Debbie. Until we meet again... Read more: https://www.lam orindaweekly.com/archive/issue1006/Digging-Deep-with-Cynthia-Brian.html Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/313702488/My-Sister-s-Garden-Digging-Deep-With-Cynthia-Brian Radio Broadcast: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/92459/porn-alarm-effective-apologies-in-my-sisters-garden Press Pass: http://vapresspass.com/2016/05/24/in-my-sisters-garden-a-wistful-romp-through-a-drought-resistant-oasis-by-cynthia-brian/ ©2016 Cynthia Brian The Goddess Gardener Starstyle® Productions, llc Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com www.GoddessGardener.com 925-377-STAR Tune into Cynthia’s Radio show at www.StarStyleRadio.com I am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant. Keywords: Debbie’s garden my sister’s garden, a cowboy western garden, drought resistant plants, cynthia brian, lamorinda weekly, starstyle, goddess gardener.

Photo taken by, Bernard Andre
Стильный дизайн: огромная открытая, парадная гостиная комната в стиле фьюжн с желтыми стенами, светлым паркетным полом и бежевым полом без камина, телевизора - последний тренд

Стильный дизайн: огромная главная ванная комната в стиле фьюжн с врезной раковиной, открытыми фасадами, мраморной столешницей, отдельно стоящей ванной, угловым душем, разноцветной плиткой, плиткой мозаикой, белыми стенами и мраморным полом - последний тренд

In the dining room, bohemian luxe takes on an Eastern influence, with soft textures and lighting reigning supreme. http://www.domusnova.com/back-catalogue/51/creative-contemporary-woodstock-studios-w12/

This water feature doubled as a retaining wall. The addition of a water feature in a front yard provides a wonderful backdrop for guests coming over. At night, the illuminated water adds mystery to the house. The plants surrounding the waterfall were chosen for height and color. There is no need to water here as the spray from the waterfall keeps things lush.

Свежая идея для дизайна: огромный солнечный, летний регулярный сад на заднем дворе в стиле фьюжн с садовой дорожкой или калиткой, хорошей освещенностью и мульчированием - отличное фото интерьера

Свежая идея для дизайна: огромная отдельная, угловая кухня в стиле фьюжн с двойной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, бежевыми фасадами, столешницей из кварцевого агломерата, бежевым фартуком, техникой из нержавеющей стали, полом из керамической плитки, островом, разноцветным полом, черной столешницей и балками на потолке - отличное фото интерьера

Roll shades throughout most of the house operate from smart house controls to mitigate glare and optimize energy conservation. Woodruff Brown Photography

Kirk Bianchi created the design for this residential resort next to a desert preserve. The overhang of the homes patio suggested a pool with a sweeping curve shape. Kirk positioned a raised vanishing edge pool to work with the ascending terrain and to also capture the reflections of the scenery behind. The fire pit and bbq areas are situated to capture the best views of the superstition mountains, framed by the architectural pergola that creates a window to the vista beyond. A raised glass tile spa, capturing the colors of the desert context, serves as a jewel and centerpiece for the outdoor living space.

The new back deck features a large outdoor kitchen. Photo: Vance Fox
На фото: огромная терраса на заднем дворе в стиле фьюжн с летней кухней без защиты от солнца с

Archadeck of Columbus Delivers Year-Round Enjoyment with a 3-Season Room/Patio/Hardscape/Fire Pit Combination in Dublin, OH Sometimes a tired, aging wooden deck just needs to be RE-tired, as in “retired,” as in replaced by a patio. That was the case for these Dublin, OH, homeowners who decided to go with a fresh, new paver patio and hardscape from Archadeck of Columbus instead of redecking or having a new deck installed. They also upgraded their screened porch by turning it into a 3-season room. Their instincts were good. Look how this stunning patio and 3-season room combination space has brought new life to their back yard!

The large octagonal living room features transom French doors, full-height paneling, a coved ceiling, and dramatic lighting. Hand-planed and waxed to an antique finish, character grade Oak floors are laid in a Herringbone pattern. A formal French regency mantel and wet bar compel residents and guests to chat to one side while the baby grand piano and seating opposite could accommodate a chamber orchestra performance. Woodruff Brown Photography

Richard Silver Photo
Пример оригинального дизайна: огромная гостиная-столовая в стиле фьюжн с желтыми стенами и темным паркетным полом без камина

As you can see from these positively stunning and cutting edge pictures taken by a drone, this outdoor living space includes a two level deck with contours and an integrated fire pit, a screened porch, an outdoor kitchen and paver patio. In addition, a set of stairs were added to the opposite side of the deck from the screened porch to access the backyard as well as the area where the homeowners are adding an in ground pool. This new outdoor living multi-complex will also enhance poolside enjoyment.

The billiards area of the recreational basement has Stone Peak ceramic tile from the Quartzite collection in Lime. The wall is Cuirassier Brushed Silver steel tile. The counter is Cambria quartz in Minera. The light above the pool table is Exos Wave by Hubbardton Forge. The fireplace is a Cosmo EcoSmart Torch.

Ian Whitehead
Свежая идея для дизайна: огромный, коричневый, двухэтажный дом в стиле фьюжн с облицовкой из цементной штукатурки и плоской крышей - отличное фото интерьера

На фото: огромная главная ванная комната в стиле фьюжн с подвесной раковиной, отдельно стоящей ванной, открытым душем, белыми стенами, полом из керамогранита и стеклянной столешницей

Пример оригинального дизайна: огромная угловая кухня-гостиная в стиле фьюжн с с полувстраиваемой мойкой (с передним бортиком), фасадами в стиле шейкер, фасадами цвета дерева среднего тона, гранитной столешницей, бежевым фартуком, фартуком из каменной плитки, техникой из нержавеющей стали, полом из керамогранита и островом

At the base of the hill at the back of the property, a shaded patio is the perfect spot for a stone fire ring and casual seating. Neal's Design Remodel